Understanding Computer Storage: HDD vs. SSD

If you are looking to speed up an old computer or build a new one, the most important part to understand is the difference between a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and a Solid State Drive (SSD). These are the parts of the computer that save all your files, photos and the operating system itself.

An HDD is the older style of storage. It uses spinning platters and a moving head to read data, much like a record player. Because it has moving parts, it is slower and can be damaged if you drop your laptop. However, HDDs are much cheaper if you need to store a massive amount of data like terabytes of movies or backup files.

An SSD is much newer and uses flash memory which is the same technology found in USB thumb drives. There are no moving parts making it incredibly fast. When you switch from an HDD to an SSD, your computer will turn on in seconds instead of minutes and apps will open almost instantly. While they cost more for the same amount of space, the speed difference is worth the extra price for most people.

Most modern setups now use a small SSD for the Windows or Mac operating system and a larger, cheaper HDD for storing extra files. This gives you the best of both worlds: high speed and lots of space!